MGM Picks Up James Bond Rights, Silencing 50-Year IP Feud

Law360, Washington (November 15, 2013, 5:39 PM EST) -- James Bond film franchise producer Danjaq LLC and producer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have agreed to purchase all of the rights to the franchise owned by the estate of the late screenwriter Kevin McClory, ending more than 50 years of litigation and business disputes, attorneys for the estate announced on Friday.

The three-way settlement announced on Friday ends legal wrangling that dates back to 1961, when McClory filed suit in London against James Bond creator Ian Fleming over the novel "Thunderball," according to BakerHostetler, which represented the McClory estate. ...